discuss
[verb]
Synonyms: talk about, argue, confer, consider, converse, debate, deliberate, examine

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Related Idioms: consider pro and con, go into, reason the point
Related Words: deliberate, hash over, reason (out), talk over, consider, weigh, elucidate, explicate, interpret

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English Thesaurus: discussion, debate, talks, negotiations, conference, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

di‧scuss S2 W1 /dɪˈskʌs/ verb [transitive]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: discussus, past participle of discutere 'to shake to pieces']

1. to talk about something with another person or a group in order to exchange ideas or decide something:
Littman refused to discuss the case publicly.
If you would like to discuss the matter further, please call me.
discuss something with somebody
Pupils should be given time to discuss the book with their classmates.
discuss what/who/where etc
Your accountant will discuss with you how to complete these forms.

REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say talk about rather than discuss:
It’s good to be able to talk about these things.

2. to talk or write about something in detail and consider different ideas or opinions about it:
This topic will be discussed in Chapter 4.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

discuss
verb
ADV. exhaustively, fully, in detail, thoroughly The plan was discussed in great detail.
at length, endlessly, extensively These ideas will be discussed at greater length in the next chapter.
briefly | further | openly This problem has never been discussed openly before.
informally | critically, intelligently Pupils should be encouraged to discuss critically the information they are given.
VERB + DISCUSS convene (sth) to, meet to to convene a conference to discuss the country's political future The committee meets regularly to discuss these issues.
want to, wish to, would like to | refuse to He refused to discuss it with me.
be able to | be prepared to, be willing to I'm not prepared to discuss this on the phone.
PREP. with I'd like to discuss this matter with you later.
PHRASES an opportunity to discuss sth, widely discussed The proposals have been widely discussed in the media.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

discuss

discuss the question/subject
We’d never discussed the question of having children.
discuss the problem
I suggested going out for a drink to discuss the problem.
discuss the matter/issue formal (=discuss a subject or problem)
The two leaders met to discuss the issue further.
discuss a topic (=subject of general interest)
I sometimes let the class choose which topic they want to discuss.
discuss the situation
They held a three-hour meeting to discuss the situation.
discuss a possibility
Government officials were seriously discussing the possibility of war.
discuss a plan/idea
It’s a good idea to discuss your plans with your parents.
discuss the future of something
He met the chairman of Nuclear Electric to discuss the future of the nuclear generating industry.
discuss the details
Let’s get together soon to discuss the details of the trip.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

discuss
verb
1.
BAD: When I discuss with them, I cannot say the things that I want to say, because of my English.
GOOD: When I talk to them, I cannot say the things that I want to say, because of my English.
BAD: Some people were discussing; some listening to the radio.
GOOD: Some people were talking; some listening to the radio.

Usage Note:
Discuss is a transitive verb and needs an object: 'I'd like to discuss my homework with you.' 'The two sides will discuss further arms reductions.'

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2.
BAD: They'd like to discuss about what to do next.
GOOD: They'd like to discuss what to do next.

Usage Note:
discuss sth (WITHOUT about/on ): 'He simply refuses to discuss the matter.' 'There is nothing to discuss.'
Compare talk about, a discussion about/on : 'They want to talk about what to do next.' 'They want a discussion about/on what to do next.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

discussion an occasion when you discuss something, or the process of discussing it:
After a long discussion, they decided to paint the room pale blue.
This led to a discussion of our favourite books.
There are several projects under discussion (=being discussed).
debate discussion of a particular subject that often continues for a long time, in which people express different opinions. Also used to mean a formal discussion of a subject, after which people vote for or against something:
There is a lot of debate about the safety of nuclear power.
The student union is holding a debate on immigration.
talks formal discussions between governments, organizations etc:
the Arab-Israeli peace talks
The next round of trade talks will be held in the spring.
Bilateral talks (=between two groups or countries)on refugees took place in November.
negotiations official discussions between two or more groups who are trying to agree on something:
The two sides have begun negotiations aimed at ending the dispute.
International negotiations on reducing sulphur dioxide emissions have ended without agreement.
conference a large formal meeting at which people from many places discuss their work or research, or important matters relating to their organization:
an international conference on nuclear physics
the Labour Party conference
consultation a formal discussion in which people who are affected by or involved in something can give their opinions:
The govenment promised a full public consultation before a decision was made to build the airport.
The revised syllabus was devised after wide consultations with the teaching profession.
discuss to talk seriously about problems, ideas, or plans:
They met to discuss how the building should be designed.
She refuses to discuss the matter.
talk something over to discuss something with someone because it will affect them, especially someone close to you:
Before you accept the job, talk it over with your family.
You two need to sit down and talk things over.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

talk to use words to communicate with someone about something:
I need to talk to you about your work.
She always enjoyed talking to Jim.
Can we talk?
speak to talk. Speak is a little more formal than talk. You often use it when saying that someone speaks in a particular way, or that you will speak to someone in order to try to get something done. You only use speak when saying that someone speaks a language:
He spoke with confidence and authority.
She was speaking quietly so she didn’t disturb anyone.
I’d like to speak to the manager.
Do you speak German?
go on/drone on/ramble to talk too much or for too long about something, in a way that makes people bored:
He went on about how great the team was.
I’d better stop rambling and let you get on with your work.
waffle /ˈwɒfəl $ ˈwɑː-/ British English disapproving informal to talk using a lot of words but without saying anything important:
I wish he would stop waffling and get to the point!
prattle on disapproving informal to talk continuously about silly and unimportant things:
She prattled on about her boyfriend for the entire journey.
What’s he prattling on about now?
have a conversation to talk to someone for a long time about everyday things:
She was having a conversation with one of her friends.
When I arrived, Joe and Jane were deep in conversation (=very involved in a conversation).
I can order food in a restaurant in French, but not have a conversation.
chat/have a chat informal to have a friendly informal conversation about things that are not very important:
The girls were chatting outside the house.
It’s been nice having a chat with you.
gossip to talk about other people’s private lives when they are not there, especially about things that you have heard, which are not completely true:
What are you two gossiping about?
visit with somebody American English informal to have a conversation with someone:
I visited with him last week.
converse formal to have a conversation with someone:
We met once and conversed briefly.
discuss to talk seriously about problems, ideas, or plans:
They met to discuss how the building should be designed.
She refuses to discuss the matter.
talk something over to discuss something with someone because it will affect them, especially someone close to you:
Before you accept the job, talk it over with your family.
You two need to sit down and talk things over.
debate to discuss a subject formally when you are trying to make a decision or solve a problem:
The issue will be debated on Tuesday.
The UN Security Council debated whether to impose sanctions.
have a talk
I must have a talk with Frank before I leave.
a long talk
I had a long talk with Nora this morning.
a little talk
I’m glad we’ve had this little talk.
a serious talk
Before she went to college, her father sat her down for a serious talk.
a quiet/private talk
She asked if she could have a private talk.
a good talk (=a long talk about important or interesting things)
She was upset, but we’ve had a good talk and things are okay now.
a nice talk
We all had lunch together and a nice talk.
have/hold talks
He called on the rebels to hold talks with the government.
enter into talks (=start having talks)
The Ambassador stated that France was prepared to enter into talks on the issue.
talks begin
Talks began in October and Venezuela said it expects an agreement to be signed soon.
talks continue/are underway
Talks will continue through the weekend.
talks break down/collapse (=stop because of disagreement)
Talks broke down today between the Russian and Japanese delegations.
talks resume/are resumed
Talks resumed in Geneva on April 19 after a month’s break.
talks end
The talks ended without a settlement being reached.
peace talks
All four Arab delegations walked out of the Middle East peace talks yesterday.
trade talks
Trade talks between the EU and the Americans have once again collapsed.
high-level talks (=involving important people)
The announcement came after a morning of high-level talks.
budget talks
The dollar fell as U.S. budget talks appeared unlikely to produce an agreement.
direct talks
The President declared that he was now prepared to enter into direct talks with the rebels.
bilateral talks (=involving two groups or countries)
Bilateral talks led to the resumption of diplomatic relations.
round-table talks (=when everyone can discuss things in an equal way)
An election law, agreed during round-table talks, gave every voter the right to two votes.
urgent talks
The Prime Minister called ministers together for urgent talks.
crisis talks (=talks to stop a situation getting worse or more dangerous)
The unions will hold crisis talks with the company in a bid to save jobs.
a round of talks (=a series of talks that is part of a longer process)
A third round of talks was held in May.
the breakdown/collapse of talks
The collapse of the talks sent shock waves round the world.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲